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Agenda for Wednesday, March 12, GWNC Board Meeting

Submitted by lizfuller on Fri, 03/07/2014 - 12:38.

The Ebell of Los Angeles
4400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, 90005
Wednesday, March 12, 2014, 7:00 p.m.
______________________________________________________________________PUBLIC Comment: The public is requested to fill out a Speaker Card to address the Board on any item on the agenda. Comments from the public on the agenda items will be heard only when that item is being considered. Comments from the public on other matters, not appearing on the agenda but within the Board’s subject matter jurisdiction, will be heard during the Community Concerns and Public Comment periods. Public comment is limited to two (2) minutes per speaker, unless waived by the presiding officer of the Board.

1. Call to Order (Owen Smith)

2. Roll Call (Jeffry Carpenter)

3. Approval of the Minutes (Jeffry Carpenter) (5 mins)*

A. Approval of the Minutes of the February 12, 2014 General Meeting
B. Approval of the Minutes of the Feburary 12, 2014 Emergency Meeting

4. President’s Report (Owen Smith) (15 mins)

A. Ethics & Funding Training –

All board members and alternates must complete ethics training in order to vote on funding motions before the board. The course is available online at http://ethics.lacity.org/education/ethics2007/?audience=done

In addition to Ethics training, all board members and alternates are also REQUIRED to take a new funding training course (about the new system of NC checking accounts that will be launched soon). The course is at
http://www.slideshare.net/EmpowerLA/nc-checking-account-training-62413.
The last page of the presentation contains a link http://www.empowerla.org/boardregistration -
to a completion form you can submit to register your attendance.

Board members and alternates MUST complete both trainings to be eligible to vote on funding-related matters.

The following tables show which Board Members and which Alternates have completed which trainings. Items marked with an asterisk (*) are self-verified and do not show up in DONE’s posted results at http://www.empowerla.org/gwnc as of 1/5/14 (though some verifications may have been added since that date). Please note: DONE does not yet post results for our alternates (though we have requested that they do so).

A. 7-Eleven at Wilton/Olympic*
Issue: In 2012, GWNC voted to support entitlement requests for the conversion of a gas station at Wilton & Olympic to a 7-Eleven store, with the single condition that the area of the existing pole sign not be increased. GWNC’s vote was taken, however, in the context of the applicants’ explicit promise that it would be a “dry” store with no alcohol sold either now or in the future (alcohol sales were not among the privileges being sought by the applicants). When hearing notices for the project were issued by the Zoning Administrator’s office a few weeks ago, however, floor plans showed space for alcohol and the ZA’s staff report mentioned the possibility of future alcohol sales. GWNC immediately advised the ZA’s office that its previous vote of support would be null and void if alcohol was going to be part of the discussion for the project. Later, at the February Land Use meeting, the 7-Eleven representative said the ZA’s office had distributed outdated plans and information. He presented new plans, which were also submitted to the ZA, which showed landscaping and other changes requested by the ZA and eliminated any references to alcohol. He also reiterated the applicants’ explicit promise not to seek permission for alcohol sales, either now or in the future.

Proposed Motion: That the GWNC support the application for the 7-Eleven, on the condition that there will be no alcohol sales at the site, either now or in the future.

B. Conversion of Existing Recreational Space to Second Dwelling Unit at 118 N. Gramercy Pl.*
Issue: Applicant purchased the property from her parents a few years ago. It currently contains a single family house, detached garage and a backyard building permitted as a rec room, but long used as a second dwelling unit. She now seeks permission to demolish the non-compliant building and construct a new, smaller dwelling unit in its place, according to guidelines set forth in the city’s Accessory Dwelling Unit ordinance. Neighbors expressed concerns about the size and style of the new building, but the applicant said the new unit will be smaller and more in keeping with the Craftsman style of the main residence on the property. She also offered to work with the neighbors in further development of the building plans.

Proposed Motion: That the GWNC oppose the plans as currently submitted, but that the applicant be encouraged to work with the neighbors, to revise the building plans to fully meet the 9 major criteria of the new ADU law, and to return to the Land Use Committee with the revised plans for another vote.

C. Clarification of CUP date/version for the new Midtown Bar & Kitchen at 5722 W. Melrose
Issue: This business, owned by the same people who own the nearby Osteria Mamma, opened recently at the site of the former Pueblo Viejo restaurant. Because there was an existing liquor permit at the site, there was no entitlement application or community review process before Midtown opened, and neighbors want to make sure the new business is fully in compliance with the existing permits. The Land Use Committee reviewed the existing permit (in place since 1992), which shows 13 specific conditions for operation, most of which the new business seems to be heeding. There is, however, a requirement that there be no bar or lounge area for the sale, service or consumption of alcoholic beverages directly to patrons…that sales of alcohol be incidental to food sales at all times…and that there be no exterior signage advertising the availability of alcoholic beverages. Since the permit is already in place, however, and the business is already open, Land Use Committee members generally agreed that if the business seems to be out of compliance in any way, neighbors should start with notifications to the appropriate city enforcement agencies.

D. Liquor Permit for Unnamed New Restaurant at 710 N. El Centro
Issue: Applicants for a CUB to sell a full line of alcoholic beverages at a new restaurant at this location brought the issue only to the Hollywood Studio District Neighborhood Council, even though the property is adjacent to areas represented by other NCs, including GWNC (it sits at the northern end of Larchmont Blvd., which is the key commercial district within the GWNC area). Requests that the applicants also make presentations to the GWNC were refused, and city approvals were granted without input from GWNC or other affected areas. At its last Board meeting, GWNC called an Emergency Meeting and voted to send letters to the applicants and appropriate city agencies, notifying them that the other key NCs should be included in the approval process before decisions are made. The letters have been sent (see handout), but neither the applicants or the city have scheduled further discussions.

Translators, sign language interpreters, and listening devices for the hard-of-hearing are available upon request. To ensure the availability of services, please make your request at least three (3) business days (72 hours) before the scheduled meeting date by contacting the GWNC Board Secretary, Jeffry Carpenter via email: info@greaterwilshire.org or the Empower LA Neighborhood Council help line at (213) 485-1360.

In compliance with Government Code section 54957.5, non-exempt writings that are distributed to a majority or all of the board in advance of a meeting may be viewed at our website at http://www.greaterwilshire.org or at the scheduled meeting. In addition, if you would like a copy of any record related to an item on the agenda, please e-mail info@greaterwilshire.org or telephone (424) 901-1409.

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NEW! GWNC Citizen Recognition Program

Do you know someone who has worked tirelessly on behalf of our neighborhood? Someone who deserves recognition for their efforts? A true local hero -- of any age? The GWNC's new Citizen Recognition Program is a quarterly effort to identify and sing the praises of our very own superstars, from all walks of life, who help to make our community a great place to live. Got someone in mind? Just download our nomination form and let us know!

Community Project Funding

Have a community project that needs funding? The GWNC has limited funds available for community beautification, historical preservation, safety and other projects conducted by 501[c]3 organizations and public schools. To apply, please read our GWNC Funding Guidelines and complete the Neighborhood Purposes Grant application form. Grant applications are accepted between July 1 and January 15 of each fiscal year, and then all applications are reviewed by an ad hoc Funding Committee, which announces awardees in March. Please contact treasurer@greaterwilshire.org- with questions or to submit applications.

Emergency Preparedness

Recent tragedies of hurricanes, floods and fires serve as reminder of our vulnerability in emergencies. By preparing to be self sufficient for at least 72 hours we can help ourselves and our neighbors protect our lives and our property. We encourage you to look at the following resources, print them out and take the time to prepare you and your family in case of an emergency.